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get reverberated!
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April Birthdays
best budget amp for surf and blues???
Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs 
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Posted on Apr 14 2013 11:39 PM
My current amp needs replacing and I don't have the extra scratch right now to get something that I'm really, really wanting (blues deluxe, for exmaple). I only have about $200 to spend. Anything decent in that category? I'm considering (used of course): Also looking for other sleeper amps that might slip under the radar. |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle 
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 12:07 AM
I'd go for the Bugera myself, if I had to choose one for $200. It wouldn't be great for surf, 5W and all... But personally, I wouldn't buy any of those. The reverb on all of these... they'll add some depth but they aren't going to be too strong sounding. My suggestion, save up for the amp you want. You'll never save up for it unless you weasel away money. Some alternatives, do you have a computer? Fool around with some software that will model amp sounds. Especially if you have a Mac, Garageband is free... or pony up the $200 for Logic Pro 9, Logic Pro 9 really is awesome for modeling. The spring reverb is amazing. Logic Pro 9 is also a good multi-track record program and much more. Personally, I play unplugged 95% of the time unless I'm playing with the band. The other 5% is through Logic. I feel playing unplugged, even with an electric, makes me a much better musician. |
Joined: Nov 28, 2011 Posts: 795 Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 01:09 AM
Low buck amps are low buck amps. however, I've played both of the Fenders. of those I kinda liked the Mustang III as it's 100 watt amp into a decent 12" speaker. Doubt it would be road worthy, but you can get a decent clean/verbed tone with it and the amp/effects models are decent for the $$. |
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Joined: Nov 03, 2011 Posts: 660 |
Posted on Apr 15 2013 01:42 AM
I think in the $200 price range the Vox Pathfinder 15's are pretty good sounding for what they are plus they have reverb. Check one out used I've seen them between $80-$120. You maybe able to find a used Fender Pro Jr for $200 (although could be boxy sounding). My father in law has a Mustang I which I think is similar to the Mustang III but lower watts and less presets and it's good for him. Allows you to simulate a variety of amp tones half way decently but I think you can do better with the Vox Pathfinder or the Pro Jr. IMHO |
Joined: Dec 17, 2012 Posts: 519 Vienna 
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 04:02 AM
hi! if you have access to a mixer and a PA - give the SansAmp Character Series a try. They cost around ~200 $, and they are much, much more realistic than most modellers I know AND - they can be handled like an amp. My favourite (the Liverpool ~ VOX AC 30) is not an AC 30 - but it comes quite close, and the audio-result is definitely not poor ... http://www.surfgrammeln-san.org |
Joined: Feb 14, 2010 Posts: 802 N.E. Ohio
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 08:02 AM
Older Peaveys can be a good bargin. — |
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Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 08:25 AM
YEAH, I wish I coumd save up, but that's just in the cards. Money.is allocated to household projectsso I don't have much to go with. Was using a line 6 slideer iv 75, and it wasn't bad for what I needed it for. |
Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 2858 Fredericksburg, Virginia
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 12:45 PM
caddady wrote:
I totally agree. The Peavey Classic amps go for right around that on Craigslist. They're able to get dirty for blues and stay clean for surf. They are quite heavy, though, as they were modeled after the Twin Reverb, from what I was told. Matt "tha Kat" Lentz |
Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 1725 Austin, Texas
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 01:08 PM
I remember hearing some guy at GC getting GREAT sounds out of some setup, when I saw it I cried. $45 used Peavey amp, squier affinity strat. What has my quest for TONZ(L@@K IMO. |
Joined: Jan 09, 2008 Posts: 390 Orange County, CA
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 03:19 PM
I'd consider a blues JR by Fender. It's a great little amp and if you shop around, I'll bet you could get one for $250. Craig Skelly Little Kahuna |
Joined: Feb 15, 2013 Posts: 56 District of Chicanery
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 03:43 PM
I REALLY like the VHT Special 6 combo. Its around $225 if you cn stretch to that. Hand wired in China, good blackface and tweed tones, footswitch, low/high inputs, half power mode, standby, and 4,8, and 16 ohm speaker outs. |
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Joined: Oct 05, 2012 Posts: 1725 Austin, Texas
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 05:15 PM
I would recommend saving your money for a nicer amp, especially because you're upgrading. I know from experience that you spend WAY more money slowly upgrading than just saving for the "real deal", whatever that may be. I went through tons of cheap guitars before deciding it didn't work for me. I spent tons of money, but because they were all $200-$500 guitars, resale value was almost nothing. At that point I realized I could have bought a jag or a strat, no problem. —IMO. |
Joined: Apr 10, 2012 Posts: 23 Denton, Tx
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 06:26 PM
I agree with Breakaways. The Blues Jr. is a great little amp, but in my area (DFW, Tx) it's almost impossible to find one for less than $300. I have one that I picked up a couple of years ago and I like it a lot. But, I also have a Fender Super Champ XD, and I think I like it more. I found it locally on Craigslist (listed at 175/paid 150) about 6 months ago and could not be happier with it. BTW, if the reverb tank doesn't suit you in the XD, you can shop around the web and find a more robust tank for under $30.00--and it's a piece of cake to install. Also, for what it's worth, I'm only interested in playing classic surf. |
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Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs
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Posted on Apr 15 2013 10:30 PM
I went with a Mustang III that I found on GC used site with plastic and stickers still on it, complete with footswitch, for $150. I know it's not tube, etc., but it provides a lot of flexibility that the SCXD does not. I'm going to start saving for either a blues Jr or a blues deluxe...I love the sound of both, but they RARELY show up used here in Colorado Springs for anything less than over $300 for the Jr and $450 for the deluxe. The deluxe is REALLY what I want, but it might be overkill. I'm hoping I won't regret NOT getting the XD. I'm an amp noob...I did'nt know you COULD swap out hte reverb tank in the amp! Any links on how to do that? Is it hard? |
Joined: Sep 07, 2011 Posts: 507 |
Posted on Apr 15 2013 10:31 PM
Another vote for a Blues Jr. If you can gather up the extra dough, it's worth it. I had the NOS tweed version for years and it never let me down, now I wonder why I sold it? Even the Pro Jr's sound great. Last edited: Apr 15, 2013 22:33:25 |
Joined: Jul 24, 2012 Posts: 2762 Finknabad, Squinkistan 
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Posted on Apr 16 2013 04:07 AM
If you want to save money, buy a pre-depreciated (i.e., used) amp. There are lots of good 'sleepers' out there. Ampeg, Peavey, Traynor, Music Man... anything that's North American made: reliable and re-salable. Just play it first (to determine if it suits) and chisel the seller so when you want to sell and upgrade to your dream amp you don't have to lose much if anything. |
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Joined: Feb 14, 2010 Posts: 802 N.E. Ohio
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Posted on Apr 16 2013 08:18 AM
"I went with a Mustang III that I found on GC used site with plastic and stickers still on it, complete with footswitch, for $150." Ya done good. You have a good unit to use now that is easy to move when you get ready to buy your next amp. — |
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Joined: Mar 23, 2011 Posts: 518 colorado springs
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Posted on Apr 16 2013 08:49 AM
caddady wrote:
And that was part of that decision...real low price compared to tohers on the market right now. If I decide to flip I can get 20-30 bucks or so. |
Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 198 Mandrogne, Alessandria, Italy
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Posted on Apr 16 2013 09:12 AM
Try this little beast, Pignose G40V: it's a 40W tube amp based on the Fender Bassman '59, 3 12AX7 and 2 6L6 ... it's VERY cheap on second hand markets
Docteur Legume Et Les Surfwerks http://doclegume.blogspot.com "We're gonna draw a little bit of everybody's blood 'cause we're gonna find out who's THE THING" |
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Joined: Apr 10, 2012 Posts: 23 Denton, Tx
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Posted on Apr 16 2013 11:17 AM
Horax, Enjoy the new amp! The Mustang III amps seems to have a lot of fans and I think you'll be happy with it. Following up on your question about changing reverb tanks: I've only done the one on my Blues Jr., but I think, depending on access, they are all pretty much the same--pull half a dozen screws and a couple of rca cables and then reverse the process to reinstall. Took me less than 5 minutes, and I'm no technical genius. However, the Blues Jr. is what I was thinking of when I last posted. The SCXD does NOT have spring reverb. Sorry for the misinformation. |
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